Huntingfield Queens Oak

Suffolk

Following a brief encounter with Citizens Band Radio in the mid 70's, I became interested in Amateur Radio, and undertook a course at the Lowestoft college to learn and understand the principles of electricity and radio. At the end of the course in May 1978 I took the Radio Amateurs Examination (RAE) and gained my first radio transmitting licence with the call of G6LJN. This enabled me to use frequencies between 439 MHz and 70 MHz that were allocated to Class "B" licensees. Using simplex and duplex modes of operation, I experimented making equipment, and transmitted on various frequencies using FM, SSB and RTTY modes of transmission. I spent a considerable amount of time using an amateur satellite - Oscar 10 for transmitting very large distances. This included a qso (contact) with a German radio Amateur in Antarctica!

In 1982 I spent 3 months learning and perfecting receiving and transmitting Morse code (cw), which culminated in a Morse test at Mablethorpe which having satisfied the examiner I was proficient at sending and receiving Morse at 12 w.p.m., entitled me to a Class "A" licence and the ability to be able to use frequencies which would allow transmission over greater distances. My new licence given me was G0CFB. I use this call today plus a special licence GB7CFB which allows me to operate a bulletin board (like the internet) but using radio waves instead of a telephone line (much cheaper).

There are even more modes of transmission available to the radio amateur today such as Slow/Fast Scan Television, Pactor, Amtor,  PSK31 and APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System) - (see weather reports in real time worldwide too, along with moving amateur radio stations ) which are digital like modes. Morse is becoming obsolete, but still very useful when transmission conditions are very poor.

For those who are technically minded and wishing to pursue a career in electronics, Amateur Radio is an ideal platform for all including the young who have a wish to start out on this route. Below are a few links where you can find out more.

RSGB Homepage for visitors    Radio Equipment Nevada    Waters & Stanton    Martin Lynch

RSGB Members Only Homepage   Practical Wireless 01202 659930 - Magazine Subscription

RSGB Region 12 Home Page - Covers Essex Suffolk and Norfolk, Cambridgeshire & Kent

Leiston Amateur Radio Club - Meets 1st Tuesday of the month - Leiston Town Athletic Association  Contact

APRS   Automatic Position Reporting System

Other Links :- LARC  Leiston Amateur Radio Club G1HTL John Foster  G0LGJ Mark Taylor  GB3NB Repeater Group

Return to Homepage  Next Page  - Richards Computer Page  Pages 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12